Cabernet Franc
What Is Cabernet Franc?
Pronunciation: Cab-er-nay FRAHNK
Cabernet Franc is a red-wine grape variety traditionally grown in France that makes medium- to full-bodied wines typically offering red-fruit flavors and complex herbaceous accents. The grape is a significant component in some of the world’s greatest and most sought-after wines, particularly Bordeaux blends, like Château Cheval Blanc and Château Ausone, and classic red wines in the Loire Valley, too.
Cabernet Franc grapes are used primarily for dry red wines but also for rosé and sometimes sparkling wines in a few parts of the world.
The grapes grow in small to medium-sized clusters on vines that tend to be vigorous and can provide large yields. The Cabernet Franc grapes develop a blue-black color late in the growing season. The leaves usually have five lobes and show sharp “teeth” between the lobes.
A Cabernet Franc grapevine looks similar to that of Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a genetic offspring of Cabernet Franc, and to that of Merlot.
Cabernet Franc Synonyms
Cabernet Franc can sometimes be known as: Bordo, Bregon, Bouchy, Bouchet, Grow Bouchet, Cabernet Frank, Carmenet, Grosse Vidure, Messanges Rouge, Véron or Noir dur.
Cabernet Franc Regions
Cabernet Franc often is used to produce varietal wines, of which there are stunning examples made around the world, including California, Washington, New York, Italy and Canada, among others.
Cabernet Franc as a varietal wine is especially popular and traditional in the Loire Valley of France. Producers there have been working with the grape since the 11th century, mainly in the Chinon, Bourgueil, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Saumur, Saumur-Champigny, Anjou and Anjou-Villages appellations.
In the Medoc district of Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc is usually a minor player in a producer’s blend, along with Merlot and sometimes Petit Verdot and Malbec. In the Pomerol and St.-Emilion districts, however, Cabernet Franc is more prominent, the most famous example being at the famous first-growth Château Cheval Blanc.
Cabernet Franc Tasting Notes
In relatively cool regions like the Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc wines are generally quite aromatic, with notes of red berry and cherry, as well as varying degrees of charming herbal, floral, pepper and cigar spice notes.
In Bordeaux and other warm regions globally, Cabernet Franc wines can show almost-sweet dark plum and lush blueberry flavors, herbaceous and tobacco nuances, along with firm tannins. In these warmer climates Cabernet Franc wines taste riper, richer and have fuller bodies. However, Cabernet Franc in general tends to be lighter in tannins and color than Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Franc Fun Facts
- It wasn’t until 1997 that Cabernet Franc was proven to be a parent grape variety, along with Sauvignon Blanc, of Cabernet Sauvignon. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, used DNA fingerprinting techniques to confirm what the grape varieties’ names long hinted at.
- Cabernet Franc is used in France to make the lightly sweet rosé wines called Cabernets d’Anjou.
- When Cabernet Franc vines were planted in northern Italy in the 19th century, the Italians at first erroneously called the vines Merlot.
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Le Dôme 2020 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis Cabernet Franc-dominated, single-parcel wine is rich, with a great structure and ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$250 -
Chappellet 2019 Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley)
NapaHeady wood smoke and graphite aromas merge into concentrated, layered flavors of ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$115 -
Château la Gaffelière 2020 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis wine's ripe tannins and fine perfumes come from the 40% Cabernet ...Cellar SelectionSee Full ReviewN/A -
Château La Tour Figeac 2020 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThere is a fine proportion of Cabernet Franc in this wine, giving ...Cellar SelectionSee Full ReviewN/A -
Ashes & Diamonds 2019 Mountain Cuvée No. 4 Saffron Vineyard Red (Mount Veeder)
NapaThis well-proportioned wine blended from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon offers ...See Full Review$95 -
Château Haut Veyrac 2019 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis wine's weight and density come from the rich Merlot in the ...See Full Review$40 -
Glenelly 2016 Estate Reserve Red (Stellenbosch)
South AfricaThis is a blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 15% Syrah ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$25 -
Bodega Garzón 2020 Reserva Cabernet Franc (Maldonado)
UruguayA generous nose, offering meaty blackberry and cherry aromas with a light ...Best BuySee Full Review$20 -
Viña Progreso 2020 Overground Cabernet Franc (Canelones)
UruguayAromas of ripe raspberry and blackberry followed by peppercorn make for an ...See Full Review$24 -
Bracco Bosca 2020 Gran Ombu Cabernet Franc (Atlantida)
UruguayA delicate nose offers licorice, cherry and hints of cocoa. This is ...See Full Review$45 -
Jax 2020 Y3 Taureau Red (Napa Valley)
NapaFruity, almost-sweet black fruits and dark chocolate give this deep, dark wine ...See Full Review$25 -
Château Tour d'Horable 2020 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
BordeauxWith a pinch of Cabernet Franc in the blend to add further ...Best BuySee Full Review$17 -
Robert Mondavi 2019 Red (Napa Valley)
NapaDeep in fruit and dark spice flavors, this full-bodied and moderately tannic ...See Full Review$45 -
The Paring 2018 Red (California)
California OtherThis blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot and ...See Full Review$25 -
Écluse 2020 Ensemble Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastClean lines of baked blackberry, cassis and roasted coffee bean show on ...See Full Review$56 -
Bodega Garzón 2018 Petit Clos Cabernet Franc (Maldonado)
UruguayThe nose of this red offers grassy and earthy aromas followed by ...See Full Review$60 -
Bodegones Del Sur 2020 Vineyard Select Cabernet Franc (Juanico)
UruguayThe elegant nose offers aromas of cherry and eucalyptus. Fruit-forward, the palate ...Best BuySee Full Review$20 -
Bresesti Winery 2018 Familia Pequenas Coleccions Cabernet Franc (Montevideo)
UruguayThis wine has an inviting nose of ripe blackberry aromas and hints ...See Full Review$23 -
Precision Wine 2021 Octopoda Cabernet Franc (North Coast)
North CoastThis varietal Cabernet Franc is rich and decadent, yet incorporates a freshness ...Best BuySee Full Review$20 -
Bodegas Fabre 2021 Montmayou Reserva Estate Bottled Cabernet Franc (Mendoza)
Mendoza ProvinceA nose of berries and herbs guide the senses to a savory ...Best BuySee Full Review$16
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